My first hunt

[roto204]

Well, I'm just back from my first appliance hunt.

There's a place here in Tucson that specializes in vintage appliances (somewhere between a junkyard and an actual restoration facility), and I just HAD to go and investigate.

Lots of old fridges, including Philcos, and the pushbutton-adjustable rack GEs; tons of straight and spiral-vane GEs; one Norge-design Signature Montgomery Ward dryer (all I could think about was gansky's lint-explosion story), a belt-drive Maytag dishwasher, a few center-timer Maytag washers, and a WC-Westy SpaceMate unit. Also of note was what I think was a late sixties Lady Kenmore electric dryer. Chrome galore and two big, wide plastic push-buttons (the kind that slant downward when you push them).

There was also a crap-tastic WCI-Frigidaire washer, complete with duct-tape-defeated lid lock (I had to laugh, considering earlier threads on the issue in Super).

Aside from the 20-lb late-eighties-early-nineties Magic Chef that topped the Consumer Reports capacity ratings (even over Dual Action Kenmores--way to go, team), there wasn't much of note, but it looks like a promising place for future scouting.

I saw a headless machine and just decided to open the lid on a lark. It was a Frigidaire 1-18!!! A Jet-Action agitator stared me in the face. Everything else was there--it was so exciting, and yet--no controls? Argh.

It was a nice beginner's foray into things. I have to get in the groove of learning how to look for these things in my area

Let me know if any of the above spark particular interest and I'll go back and research more.

 

[westytoploader]

Wow...I wish they had something like that here. I'd have a field day!

 

[roto204]

No substitute for perseverance?

Hiya Austin

How did you come upon the incredible finds you've had so far? Do they just turn up at random times? I'm not a big yard-saler, so I tend to look for places where large appliances collect (you know, junkyards, restoration places, the cracks in the sofa cushions...). The down-side is that they know what you're after and, much like buying a car, you have to appear hopelessly unamused by it all, or risk paying a bundle.

And, well, being unamused when it comes to vintage goodies is hard for me to do

 

[appnut]

Nate, keep looking for Frigidaire 1-18s out there. You'll find one yet. May take a couple to pull together a working one.

 

[roto204]

You know...

I'm contemplating being a nut and purchasing the cabinet and innards from this 1-18. The inside and everything is pristine--even the lint filter's in place.

What the h-e-double-toothpicks happened to the control panel?

If all it takes is a control panel, I'd be set. Either that, or I can cobble together the world's first 1-18 semiautomatic :-D

I'm sorely tempted...and this might be a valuable parts machine even so...

Hmmm.

 

[coldspot66]

I have a 1-18 control panel in my workshop from a 2 speed washer.

 

[roto204]

That does it...

Okay, I'll go investigate what they want for this machine. If it's reasonable, I'll get it, and then John, I'll be washing your car, cleaning the gutters, you name it

Thanks, you guys!! This is exciting...

 

[pulsator-power]

I'd say it'd be worth picking up too. What color is it?
Poppy is the all elusive color to get, but any 1-18 is a find
Jerry

 

[roto204]

Plain white

It's plain white, which is a good thing--if I brought home a coppertone or magma-orange machine I'd be sleeping on the sofa.

I'm only allowed to pursue the retro-appliance hobby if it looks good in the future "laundromat-lounge" that we're planning (you know, retro machines, complete with martinis and comfy furniture. Do your wash in atomic-age style!).

Thus, turquoise is sketchy and pink is not allowed. See how complicated this gets?!?

Ah, the joys of relationships...

 

[peterh770]

Be sure to check around all the cones to ensure perfection.

I have many 1-18 heads also, unless I clean out the carport and send them to the Krusher.

 

[roto204]

Level III Check

I'll give it a super-thorough inspection before I start to pursue it seriously. The other consideration is how to move it (last time I checked, Chevy Malibus don't take full-size washers, even with the seats folded down...

I didn't tear it apart to look at it because it was headless and I didn't know if this would be a big issue or not (I wouldn't have even known this was a 1-18 had I not lifted the lid), so a more detailed investigation is warranted.

I'll go this afternoon, and will keep you posted

 

[pulsator-power]

Actually, this washer is more the "disco era" style than the atomic age, but nothing a mirror ball & lighted dance floor would'nt cure!
Jerry

 

[roto204]

True

I'd give my eyeteeth to find a Unimatic such as the one on the front page of this site, but I'll probably win the lottery sooner than find one around here.

So, that notwithstanding, the 1-18 is at least a nice demo piece of Frigidaire's unique wash action before it was sold to WCI and became rather mundane. Plus, it has the larger capacity that most people are accustomed to nowadays.

And let's face it--a little simulated woodgrain never hurt anyone

Maybe I should install an eight-track in it... lol

 

[roto204]

Waffling!

Okay, so here's the scoop.

They found the control head for the 1-18, so yup, it's a 1-18.

The lint filter, in-agitator detergent dispenser, and bits and pieces are all there. I noticed that it's easy to rotate the basket by hand--I'm guessing that's normal (all my experience was with BD Whirlpool/Kenmore machines, so guesstimating mechanical integrity on a Frigidaire is way out of my league).

No major rust or scaries, just a tiny bit here and there.

PeterHH70, you were right--I noticed two imperfections on the agitator; one slightly bent edge (no big woo), and one fractured cone-fin (big woo--it'd have to be cemented back into place. At least the fragment is still there!)

They want $35-50 for it. I'll have a rare opportunity next week to be able to transport it, so I'm waffling. It is neat, it is a 1-18, and it looks all-there. But it's not a to-die-for model like a Unimatic per se, and it would really need a new agitator to be fully trustworthy.

Waffle, waffle, waffle. Any thoughts? I'll make up my mind tonight anyhow, but I'd love the input.

 

[roto204]

Oh hell...

I thought about it. I called the place, my friends are coming to the rescue with a minivan on Saturday, and dang it, assuming I don't lose it to fate, I'm gonna have a labor of love!

(Jumping up and down with excitement--also savoring the excitement of Unimatic's STELLAR acquisitions!!!)

 

[pulsator-power]

Okay- MAKE SURE THEY DON'T DITCH IT OR CRUSH IT OR ANYTHING TILL YOU CAN GET THERE TO GET IT!
jerry

 

[roto204]

No joke. It moved around the lot overnight, so I'm paranoid. I'm gonna call and double-check...

(Wish me luck...)

Nate

 

[Unimatic1140]

Good luck Nate, keep us posted. The first washer is always the biggest challenge, it gets easier from here on out!

 

[roto204]

Step 1 -- Have it be there when you want it

Yay! The guy who owns the place answered the phone when I called today, and he said he'd sit on it until I can bring transportation Saturday.

He also noted A) he thinks it might work (I told him I'm purchasing it just for parts because I'm evil that way), and B) he seldom messes with the Frigidaire machines due to the hard-to-find nature of parts.

When it comes to a find, "laissez-faire" is music to my ears...

Stay tuned for tomorrow's exciting episode of haggle-and-transport!

By the way, can it be tipped on its back, or does it have to stand straight up when being transported? I don't want to kill it, but I do have a minivan coming, not an open-bed truck...

(Thanks! )